Incarcerated Female Sexual Offenders: A Comparison of Sexual Histories with Eleven Female Nonsexual Offenders

Abstract

Although there is a body of literature on male sexual offenders, there is a paucity of data on female sexual offenders. In this study, 11 incarcerated female sexual offenders against children were matched with a comparison group of 11 female offenders incarcerated for nonsexual crimes regarding their own prior sexual and physical victimization experiences and sexual histories. Results indicated that the sexual offenders demonstrated a higher incidence of childhood sexual abuse and were victimized exclusively within the family. The sexual offender group also demonstrated a higher incidence of physical abuse. Additional descriptions of psychiatric status are presented. In comparing sex histories between groups, the sexual offenders reported that most sexual activity was initiated at later ages than the nonsexual offenders. Although the sample is small, there also were differences within the groups. The sexually abused sexual offenders had a later age of first masturbation, first orgasm, and satisfaction with adult partners. Prior victimization, regardless of group, played a common role in preventing sexual satisfaction in adulthood. Regarding the sexual offenses, there was a great deal of denial and minimization as well as denial of atypical sexual fantasy. Both groups were given a self-report sexual interest card sort. Four offenders from each group endorsed various atypical sexual scenes. A case study is presented to illustrate the complex nature of a female sexual offender in this study. Recommendations for future research in the assessment of female sexual offenders are discussed.